Depending on whom you ask, voting for a third-party candidate is a bold protest against the two-party establishment, or an irresponsible act in an election where the stakes for both sides are so high. But 2016 isn't the first time Americans have grappled with such concerns, The Washington Post reports. In 2000, Republicans and Democrats alike feared that third-party votes for Ralph Nader and Pat Buchanan would be "throwaways." So a plot was formed:
The idea was this: Convince Nader fans in swing states like Florida to pledge to swap their votes with [Al] Gore fans in uncontested, deep blue or red "safe" states. Nader's total winnings of the popular vote would remain the same — preserving principle — but their precious swing-state ballots would influence the electoral college tally, which decides the election anyway. Under this system, a vote for Nader meant a vote for Not Bush. [The Washington Post]
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